Levy, Maneuver, Conquer!: The Duke

Share

Levy, Maneuver, Conquer!: The Duke

Images courtesy of Catalyst Games

I have to admit that I have recently faked my way through several conversations. I may bring shame to the proud name of GeekMom, but I didn't really know what Kickstarter was and so I ummed and aahed, I nodded my head, and in my mind continued to sing the theme song from MASH. I vaguely got the premise but didn't think too much about it. This week my husband came home excited about a new game he had seen on Kickstarter, and so I dove in with him and took a look.

Kickstarter is pretty cool, the public at large get a shot at being involved financially with some interesting companies and ideas, while people with ideas but no capital can get their project off the ground. In the case of The Duke it is slightly different as Catalyst Games already makes games successfully. Their production schedule is already tied up with other games, but they are so excited about The Duke that they decided to fund it using Kickstarter in order to advance it's release by a whole year.

The Duke is a tile based game that reminded me of chess, checkers, Risk and Stratego all at at the same time, all games my husband and I love to play. It's feudal theme is classic and it has some innovative game play that I cannot wait to play with. The game can be short or long depending on your strategy, but looks like it would be thoroughly enjoyable each time. You can watch a demonstration video at their Kickstarter page and you can even see bloopers of their attempts to make the video. You can also download the rules and a print & play version on the Catalyst Games website.

Catalyst Games blew through their original goal and have been able to add extra features with stretch goals. The game was already so customizable and open to further developments and add-ons that the only problem they have had, has been getting the stretch goal posted before reaching it! If you are into gaming of any kind you should check this out. You have until July 1 to get in on the deal and help Catalyst Games make this an even better game. You can back them with anything from $5 to $1,000 depending on what you want to get out of this. The Pinaults are in at $35 and this GeekMom predicts great things for The Duke, the only question is whether you are an early player or come late to the game.